There’s some discussion as to whether the Portland Trailblazers operate at an incredibly slow pace offensively, or at merely a somewhat slow pace. That deliberate Portland tempo shouldn’t fool you — it’s propelled by a second-ranked offense that capably picks opponents apart in the halfcourt.

The first quarter plays to form with only 22 possessions — except the Blazers’ typically efficient offense isn’t exactly humming, and neither is the Clippers’ typically inefficient offense. The Blazers go early to LaMarcus Aldridge in isolation, while the Clippers find a handful of shots for Eric Gordon. Apart from that, very little is working for either team.

There are plenty of reasons to enjoy watching the Blazers, and one of the more appealing features of a Clippers-Blazers game is the number of weird matchups that materialize, a dynamic that’s amplified by the Clippers’ void at small forward. Once again, Blazers head coach Nate McMillan opts to start with his lanky small forward, Nicolas Batum on Eric Gordon [Over the two previous POR-LAC games, Eric scored only 8 points on 10 head-to-head possessions against Batum]. On the other end, Baron Davis takes Batum, then has to do battle with Travis Outlaw once Batum picks up his second foul at [1st, 6:11]. The Blazers move to exploit the Baron-Outlaw mismatch toward the end of the quarter. Outlaw posts Davis off the left block, and hits that undefendable high-release jumper over him [1st, 2:41]. On the next trip down, Baron gets his hand on the rock as Outlaw is bringing it up for the release. Outlaw recovers it, but his next attempt is off-balanced and nowhere close.

Gordon paces the Clippers in the first period. While he goes for 9 points on 6 chances, the rest of the team manages only 8 points on 13 chances [2-11 FGA]. He warms up early with a 20-footer off a Camby screen on an inbounds play [1st, 10:59]. A few minutes later, he blows by Steve Blake, and fearlessly draws contact on Joel Przybilla as he elevates for the finish at the rack.. +1 [1st, 5:48]. EJ then creates space for a step-back jumper against Blake along the perimeter with a quick, stationary cross-over dribble [1st, 4:43]. Finally, he drains an open look on the right side on a pin-down play — credit Kaman with the down screen on Rudy Fernandez [1st, 1:34]. The period ends knotted at 17.

Portland pummels the Clippers inside in the second quarter, and 11 of their 12 FGMs are at the rim. The other? A 7-footer just outside the restricted circle by Travis Outlaw [2nd, 7:58]. The Clippers have three guards on the floor, Alex Acker nominally playing the role of small forward. Eric Gordon actually starts the period on Travis Outlaw. While the Blazers are dominating the paint, the Clippers are sloppy on their end of court. Taylor occasionally runs hot when a game is being played at 33 rpm. He’s a little reckless, tossing up a couple of flailing runners [2nd, 9:37; 2nd, 9:09], then losing the ball while trying to maneuver a behind-the-back dribble just before halftime [2nd, 0:43]. Alex Acker blows his only good look, when his dunk attempt draws rim. His other two attempts in the 2nd are horrid, and he gives the team very little. The Clippers are thoroughly dominated in the period and head into the break down 15.

How do the Clippers claw back in the third? By adopting Portland’s second-quarter strategy. 13 of the Clippers’ first 15 shot attempts come from inside of 15 feet. On those 13 chances, the Clippers score 18 points — a strong 1.38 points per attempt. It’s an eclectic collection of goals: Layups off well-timed basket cuts [Camby, 3rd, 11:37 and 3rd, 7:45], audacious dribble-drives into the teeth of the Portland defense [Davis 3rd, 9:40 and 3rd, 7:11; Gordon, 3rd, 4:49], and well-executed transition buckets [Randolph 3rd, 9:15]. One of the most confounding things about the Clippers this season is their inability to work themselves more stuff inside. With a decent combination of size down on the block and strong guards who have the strength to bounce around in the paint, they should have spurts like this more often.

The Clips’ defense in the 3rd quarter is quick to collapse on Brandon Roy, and he gets only one attempt in the quarter — an unsuccessful 3PA — and one trip to the line. At times [3rd, 7:30], the Clips appear like a smart defensive team, helping each other on screens, timing their recoveries well. Zach Randolph turns in one of his best defensive efforts of the season. The momentum carries over into the fourth, when the Clippers take their first lead since the opening quarter at [4th, 7:43] as Gordon comes off a curl, then knives through the Blazers’ interior defense for a lay-in.

They won’t score again for six minutes, and watch their 2-point lead engulfed by an 18-0 Portland explosion.

The Portland starters [minus Batum] return, while Fernandez stays on the floor. The Blazers regain the lead on a follow-up slam by Przybilla. On the offensive end, the ball remains out on the perimeter. On three straight possessions, the Clippers settle for long 3PAs with the shot clock expiring [4th, 6:51; 4th, 6:05; 4th, 5:31]. Fernandez isn’t a particularly strong defender, but he clearly has a directive from the Portland bench to attach himself to Gordon. Rudy anticipates the screens from Kaman, watches the ball and his man, staying between the two at all times. After going 3-5 from the field in the first 5:10 of the 4th quarter, Eric never gets off another shot and the Clippers crumble. Meanwhile, Portland starts to execute their sets with their characteristic efficiency. A cross-screen from Przybilla gives Fernandez all kinds of space along the left arc, where Blake hits him for an open 3PA [4th, 5:17]. A few plays later, the Clippers blow a rotation and Fernandez is left with another open 3PA, this one on the right side [4th, 3:36]. The Blazers lead by 10 and the Clippers never mount a serious challenge after that.

“One of the most confounding things about the Clippers this season is their inability to work themselves more stuff inside. With a decent combination of size down on the block and strong guards who have the strength to bounce around in the paint, they should have spurts like this more often.”

Excellent point. You would also think the Clippers would be a much better rebounding team because of the reasons you listed, but they routinely get killed on the glass.

The Clippers rank 28th in total rebounding differential this year.

Fun Fact: Every Western Conference playoff team has a + differential in total rebounds. The Clippers, on a per game average, get outrebounded by 4 total rebounds. It may not seem like much, but with most NBA games being decided in the 2-10 point margin, those 4 extra possessions are huge.

A quick look at things leads me to believe that Al Thornton and Eric Gordon shouldn’t be in the same starting lineup together. Per 48 minutes, Al Thornton is one of the worst rebounding small forwards in the NBA. Eric Gordon’s one chink in the armor also happens to be rebounding. He too ranks among the worst per 48 minutes.

If the Clippers can land a viable starting option at SF this offseason, Al Thornton needs to be the current starter who comes off the bench.

clipsamba

TOP 5 REASONS FOR A FAILED CLIPPER SEASON:

1. Has only 3 player who’s worthy of playing 48 minutes per game for their defensive skills: GORDON. COLLINS & JONES.
SOLUTION: Trade Thornton, Randolph, Baron & Kaman and get players with solid defensive credibility. Let go Camby & Ricky.

2. AGING DUNLEAVY.
SOLUTION: Need a younger coach who can communicate to his players with ease; and who’s not afraid to take risks.

3. CLUELESS & DEFENSELESS: Ever since Cuttino Mobley left this team, defense has been horrendous.
SOLUTION: Hire a full time assistant Coach who’d help change the attitude of players & make them THINK defense while in action.

Let’s face it. LA is unique. 2 teams representing 2 different fanbase. And there are real undercurrents of intolerance exist. You can see it in LAtimes sports section(online). Clippers occupy a spot just above HIGHSCHOOL. This is a blatant attempt by a #1 news daily to destroy the morale of a team which has been demoralised for last 25 years.

Will it stop in near future? Let’s hope it will.

eastie Rich

I’m with on that.

eastie Rich

Brains not working, can’t transmit to fingers, should be: I’m with you on that.

bongstradamus

I disagree, most Laker fans dont know shit about basketball and just get interested when the Lakers are in the playoffs. Just like we had rashes of Ducks fan or Angels fans when they were playing for a title. They are fair weathered fans, they lose interest when the team loses. Then all their flags get stuffed in the deep recesses of their garage until the next time they can root for the team in order to be cool to coworkers.

clipsamba

Right. We saw that when Clippers did better than Lakers with Sam Cassell on board.

Actually Cassell made Laker fans to give a look at LA’s Other Team. Even Hollywood stars came out in support of Clippers.

It’s all about winning. Difference is: Clipper fans don’t abandon their team inspite of abysmal history. But Laker fans won’t take anything other than a winning season.

That’s called ‘winning attitude’. Totally different subject matter.

Sam Mays

Given their lack of accomplishment this season, it’s perfectly reasonable to get rid of their most high priced talent… Baron and Randolph… Problem is, I doubt anyone would take them even for second round picks. The Knicks gave us Randolph for nothing, just to be out from under his salary, and their team improved with the subtraction… If you can unload those two, plus Ricky Davis and then, Dunleavy, it would be a step in the right direction…

I’m not a Kaman hater and Thornton is only in his second year in the league. The jury is still out on whether he can be a productive NBA starter, or just a scorer off the bench. In either case, he can be as asset. And, yes, I know he’s older than most second year pros…

Taylor has a long way to go before he can be considered point guard material, but should be an interesting energy guy to bring off the bench for a long time. As to whether or not he can become a passer and team leader remains to be seen. I hope he can improve in that area enough to take Baron’s job next year as I’m certain both Baron and Zach will be back… We have to find young players who can push them for playing time… Taylor and Griffin, I hope… Or Rubio and whatever we can get for Camby if we don’t get Griffin.

I wouldn’t mind Randolph as a scorer coming off the bench for 15-20 minutes a night… Though not for what he’s getting paid… But, like I said earlier, we’re probably stuck with him.

Stian

Sam, the Knicks did not improve without Randolph. That is a fact. The Clippers however did improve with Zach and were playing .500 ball for a while. If it wasn’t for Voskuhl injuring him, Randolph would’ve had a very good season and the Clippers would have several more wins now. As it stands Zach still had a very solid season – MUCH better than Baron Davis who is a sad joke (the team fell apart last night in the 4th and the Celts went on a huge run as soon as Dunleavy put him in for Taylor).

Zach is gonna be a hot trade commodity in another year since his salary comes off the books in the summer of 2011. Personally, I have no problem with him being here. The weak link in the chain is Baron, not Zach, and trading him needs to be the ultimate goal this summer. Whether we can make it happen remains to be seen.

Sam Mays

Randolph is not going to be a hot trade commodity. We’re stuck with him… We got him for Mobly and Tim Thomas. When they found out Mobly couldn’t play because of his heart condition, the Knicks could have rescinded the trade, but didn’t. They were happy to be out from under Randolph’s contract, whatever it took. They were also willing to take back Tim Thomas, who they had before, so they knew exactly what they weren’t getting there… Sure, Randolph puts up numbers, mostly because he shoots every time he touches it. The offense stops when he gets the ball. He never passes, no matter how open Gordon or anybody else is on the perimeter. He’s the worst defensive 4 in the league. He gets arrested at least once a year… We had him for three quarters of a year and he got suspended for throwing a punch and arrested for DUI… Supposedly, he was going from a bar in Marina del Ray to his home in Marina del Ray, but somehow got arrested on the 405. Interesting. He’s fat and lazy and has excuses for everything… If there’s a more overpaid play in the league, it could only be Baron Davis.

Stian

1. Z-Bo’s deal run for 2 more years. A year from now he will be an asset for any team that wants to shed salary (of which there are many!), which means it won’t be hard to find a taker if we choose to dumphim. I don’t call that ‘being stuck’ with Randolph. On the other hand, having Baron Davis for 4 more years is the epitome of being stuck. Z-Bo makes a lot of money but he is doing everything he’s always done on the court – he is a 20/10 guy. Baron on the other hand is a mere shadow of his former self.

2. The Knicks not rescinding the Z-Bo trade because of Cat’s heart ailment has nothing to do with Zach. It has everything to do with NY’s fantasy of landing LeBron (which is no longer gonna happen the way the Cavs are playing). We all knew the Knicks were out to shed salary when they traded Randolph, Crawford et al. Too bad for them it was all basically for naught.

Sam Mays

Yes, the Knicks wanted to dump salary, because they knew that with Randolph and Crawford, they were going nowhere. They had players under contract who were getting paid lots who didn’t help them win… Golden State took Crawford and have lived to regret it. We’ve got Randolph. It takes more than talent to win games. Attitude, intelligence, intensity and leadership need to go along with it.

The Knicks had amassed a ton of talent… The wrong talent… Isaiah got fired and they had to blow it all up, just like we’ll have to blow this all up.

EricGordonsAnkleBrace

Clippers are still playing? Who knew?

http://hitfix.com jockgroove

Zack is a bad influence in the locker room and a dunce at the end of games. Throw Randolph to the end of the bench. No one in this economy is going to take his horrible contract. I’d rather see Kaman and Camby work together with Skinner as the third 4 or 5.

I’m increasingly down on Thorton. He plays zero defense and is not progressing offensively. He’s almost 26 and may have reached the top end of his potential as a player. He’s a bench guy on a .500 team, he’s not a full-time starter.

You know what the weird thing is with this team? Even with pockets of talent (Gordon, Kaman, Camby and Taylor), unlike previous years it feels like there is no light at the end of the tunnel — we’re all screwed and looking at another 20-30 win season next year. Perhaps it’s the inevitability that Sterling won’t fire Dunleavy with his current deal or that the draft is so horrible this year. Or even worse, that the chemistry is so bad with this current group (do they even like each other?) it would take a genuine miracle to turn them around.

Blow it up now. That’s my take.

Sam Mays

You’re right. There seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel… And it’s because of the huge money we have invested in Baron Davis and Randolph. It makes the two of them untradeable. For the next three years, we’re stuck with them… The only hope is that young players come in the draft and can improve enough to take their jobs, forcing them to the end of the bench. Sadly, not much chance of that… And it also seems clear, Dunleavy is here for awhile as well… I am torn on him, however. I’m not sure if he’s worse as a coach, or as a general manager… But, like I said earlier, a coach can only screw up a team for a year. A GM can mess it up for 5 years, which is what Dunleavy has done.

bongstradamus

Sam, Sam, Sam….its not that we’re stuck with them, its that they are stuck with us. Theres a total difference. We locked up talent for multiple years that cant leave. This is what the Clippers organization calls “retaining talent”. Trade for a long term contract and laugh because the suckers cant leave until their deals over.

Zach didnt drink and drive because he’s an irresponsible lout, he just realized he’s a Clipper for the next few seasons and was trying to cope.

Sam Mays

I stand corrected. Thank you for enlightening me…

Sam Mays

Reminds me of Benoit Benjamin threatening to go to Italy rather than resign… He actually got on the plane and landed in Rome, then returned when he realized Italy was a foreign country.

crimelaw

kamen is a zero & always will be because he’s been allowed by coach dumb to be lazy in both body & soul. he needs to get into the weight room so he can finish better than a tiny point guard & needs to be told that if he continues to be a laughable goofball he will never get off the bench. zach can play-the sporting news rated him the 3rd best inside player in the league- but who wants to play for a team with such negative vibes coming from a coach. he’s played hurt & came right back to play even after the death of his father. most of the bad shots he has been criticized for are the result of his being stuck with the ball with the time clock winding down because of our totally stagnent offensive style. the real problem is at point guard. coach dumb continues to play bd even though he is clearly out of shape, can’t guard anyone, can’t finish (which was his main strength),can’t shoot, & has no judgement. the sacto. announcers could not believe that he would keep on shooting threes throughout the game even though he continued to miss & his percentage was among the worst in the league. the clippers of 2006 won because sam ran the offense he wanted & is one of the most underrated players in nba history. he is responsible for all the success the clips had, but, alas, is also responible for coach d. getting his infamous $20 million contract. the clips have the necessary talent to be a winner but won’t be until the coach is replaced & their point guard problems are solved.